Five Questions with National Geographic’s Dennis Dimick

Food Tank, in partnership with the George Washington University, is hosting the 1st Annual Food Tank Summit in Washington D.C. on January 21-22, 2015.

This two-day event will feature more than 75 different speakers from the food and agriculture field. Researchers, farmers, chefs, policy makers, government officials, and students will come together for panels on topics including food waste, urban agriculture, family farmers, farm workers, and more.

Food Tank recently had the opportunity to speak with Dennis Dimick, Executive Environment Editor at National Geographic Magazine, who will be speaking at the summit.

Food Tank (FT): What will your message be at the Food Tank Summit?

Dennis Dimick (DD): Creating a better food system requires growing more young people interested in creating a better food system.

FT: How are you contributing to building a better food system?

DD: I have been behind creation of a multi-year initiative at National Geographic on the Future of Food, a project designed to educate the public about where food comes from, what it takes to make this happen, the costs in doing so, and what we can do to meet future demand without trashing the planet.

FT: What are the biggest obstacles or challenges you face in achieving your organization's goals?

DD: This is a long-term challenge. It took us generations to create the food systems we have. The first thing is to inform and educate the public. If we want to change the food system, then change must come from an informed public demanding change.

(FT): Who is your food hero and why?

(DD): [I have] two: Wendell Berry and Wes Jackson. I have learned much from both of them over the past four decades about living a life connected to the landscapes that sustain us.

(FT): In 140 characters or fewer what is the most important thing we can all do to help change the food system?

(DD): The first thing each of us can do to help change the food system: Stop wasting food.

The event is SOLD OUT, but interested participants can sign up for the live-stream HERE. Or JOIN US for dinner and a reception to celebrate Food Tank's two-year anniversary on January 21st at 5:30pm EST. This event will also sell out fast, REGISTER NOW.